
06/10/2025
UNN VC Denies Premium Times Reports On Tinubus Science And Technology Minister
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria Nsukka, Prof. Simon U. Ortuanya has denied the report by Premium Times edition of 4th October 2025, mentioning his name on the disinformation and smear campaign on the person and character of Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, the Minister of Innovation Science and Technology.
Prof. Ortuanya, in response to request confirmation of the report from Engr. Jekwu Onovo and made available to the media said he neither discussed nor shared any correspondence with the author of the Premium Times report, Chinagorom Ugwu.
Prof. Ortuanya stated that he is appointed to serve the university community and not the media. He explained further that the university can not discuss a graduate’s results with journalists without the individual’s explicit consent. This is a violation of the graduate’s right to privacy, as their academic records and personal information are legally protected. He therefore warned journalists and politicians to avoid dragging university administrators into their misguided activities.
He concluded that he is still studying the Premium Times report and will take necessary steps to protect his office and the university from disrepute.
On 4th October 2025, Chinagorom Ugwu reported: “The University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), has disowned the Bachelor of Science degree certificate in the possession of the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Uche Nnaji, saying the politician did not complete his studies at the institution and was never issued a certificate.
“In response to a PREMIUM TIMES Freedom of Information request, Simon U. Ortuanya, the vice-chancellor of UNN, stated that although Mr Nnaji was admitted to the institution in 1981, he did not complete his studies and was never awarded a degree.”
It is pertinent to note that the letters of Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA) 2023: This act provides a robust framework for safeguarding the personal data of all citizens, including students. It mandates that personal data must be processed lawfully, fairly, and with the specific, informed consent of the individual.
A university discussing a student’s grades with the media would be in direct violation of these rules. So, I believe the Professor’s words, that he never discussed or communicated anybody in respect of the said graduate, Uche Nnaji.
Chinagorom alleged the Professor responded to his request based on Freedom of Information, thereby misleading the public in the light of Section 37 of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution which guarantees the privacy of citizens, protecting their personal information from unauthorized disclosure. In some rare and limited circumstances, personal information can be disclosed without the individual’s consent.
These exceptions, however, generally do not include speaking with journalists.
Furthermore, the Premium Times publication said the certificates (NYSC and UNN degree) in question were obtained from a certain Senator. I don’t know the characters of our elected Senators, but I believe most, if not all of them are distinguished ladies and gentlemen, and therefore obey the laws they make. Senators, therefore, do not have the legal authority to publicly disclose the academic certificates of ministerial nominees after screening.
The submitted documents are protected as personal and confidential information under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, 2011, and the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023. The FOI Act, which promotes public access to information, also contains exemptions to protect personal privacy.
Section 14(1)(b) specifically forbids public officials from disclosing personal information about “employees, appointees or elected officials of any public institution or applicants for such positions.”
A senator or member of the public can request information under the FOI Act.
However, any request regarding a nominee’s personal data is subject to privacy protections under the law. Public institutions, including the Senate, can lawfully deny requests that would invade a nominee’s privacy.
I, therefore, make bold to say, that, no Senator of the Federal Republic in this 10th Assembly gave out personal data from Uche Nnaji’s file. I challenge Premium Times and Chinagorom Ugwu in particular to mention the name of the Senator who gave them the certificate they are circulating. If otherwise, the public should understand that the certificates they are circulating are their own creation and their own forgery.
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria Nsukka, Prof. Simon U. Ortuanya, has denied the report of 4th October 2025, mentioning his name on the disinformation and smear campaign…